-News : Anand Kumar Barkur, Visuals : Subhanu, Barkur
On Thursday, October 10, 2024, the Sri Durgamba Gaddige Temple in Barkur Kudli witnessed a grand celebration of Sri Durga Ashtami, marked by religious ceremonies, cultural programs, and community gatherings.
The auspicious day began with the performance of Sri Chandika Yaga, led by the esteemed Vedic scholar Sri Nayarbettu Ramesh Bhat. The ritual, which commenced early in the morning, set a spiritual tone for the day's events.
At precisely 12:30 PM, the temple hosted a Maha Anna Samparpane (grand food offering), which saw hundreds of devotees participating in the communal feast. This tradition of sharing food not only symbolizes the goddess's blessings but also fosters a sense of unity among the community members.
As night fell, the temple grounds came alive with devotional fervor. At 8:00 PM, the Kudli Sri Durgamba Mahila Bhajana Mandali (women's devotional singing group) rendered soulful bhajans, filling the air with melodious praise for the goddess. Following this musical offering, the day's seva (service) performers conducted a special nithya puja (daily worship) and another round of anna santarpade (food distribution).
The evening also featured a dharmic sabha (religious assembly) and a felicitation ceremony, adding a touch of recognition and community appreciation to the festivities. Sri H. Dhananjaya Shetty, the hereditary administrative head of the Mandarthi Sri Durgaparameswari Amma's temple, inaugurated the dharmic sabha. The event honored several local achievers, recognizing their contributions in various fields:
1. Sri Rama Naik, DGM of Canara Bank, Bhubaneswar, Orissa
2. Young talent Sri Shivaprasad Kudli, a Chartered Accountant
3. Smt. Pallavi Raj from Barakuru, a national-level white lifting and powerlifting champion
4. Sri Ashok, Sri Anil, and Sri Sanket, KEB linemen
5. Sri Manjunath Pujari from the Shaurya Disaster Unit
The ceremony also acknowledged devotees who had contributed donations for the Navaratri festival and assisted with the Maha Anna Samparpane, presenting them with shawls and mementos as tokens of appreciation.
Presiding over the event was Sri Akhilesh Krishna Naik, the Kudli Gurukara and chairman of the temple trust. The occasion was graced by chief guests including Vedamurthy Sri N. Ramesh Bhat, the temple's religious advisor, and Sri B. Srinivasa Shettigara, the honorary advisor to the trust, who offered their blessings and insights.
Other dignitaries present on the dais included the vice-presidents of the temple's administrative committee, Sri B. Gopal Naik and Sri K. Charada Naik. Smt. Sharada, the president of the Sri Durgamba Mahila Mandali, led the invocation prayer, while trust member Sri K. Shankar Naik extended a warm welcome to all attendees.
Sri K. Babu Naik, the secretary of the Sri Durgamba Trust, delivered the introductory speech, providing context to the day's celebrations and the temple's significance. The vote of thanks was presented by Sri K. Jagannath Naik, the joint secretary of the trust.
The event was skillfully compered by Sri Raghavendra Naik and Sri Jagannath Naik, ensuring smooth proceedings throughout the evening.
As a grand finale to the celebration, members of the Kudli Sri Durgamba Mahila Bhajana Mandali and local children presented a variety of cultural dance performances, showcasing the rich artistic traditions of the region.
This Durga Ashtami celebration at the Barkur Kudli Sri Durgamba Gaddige Temple not only upheld centuries-old traditions but also reinforced the community's devotion and cultural heritage. The seamless blend of religious rituals, social recognition, and cultural performances highlighted the multifaceted nature of this important festival in the Hindu calendar.
